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| 11x13 Graphite |
I believe that artwork is only half created by the artist... the other half is created in the mind of the viewer. When I look at the finished piece, I am both the artist and the viewer, and the story is complete for me. But what I see in this piece may be totally different from what you see. So I'm not going to tell you the story or the metaphors behind this drawing... because it is not just my story anymore. Now that I've shared this piece with you, I've invited you to make it your story too. That's what I love about art, and also what makes it so frightening when I share my work. Everybody has a different reaction. I'm learning that if I choose to share my work in public, I'm also choosing to relinquish my control over the piece, by allowing others to share their opinions of it. That's what art is all about; to evoke an emotion or some sort of response from the viewer.
(The other day at the gallery I had two visitors with totally opposite reactions to one of my drawings. One of them raised an eyebrow and grimaced at it, and an hour later somebody asked for my card because that same piece was the perfect gift for their daughter's birthday, and they were thrilled to have come across it. You see? One man's junk is another man's treasure...)
So, please help!
I'm inviting YOU to tell ME the story of this drawing, or the feelings that it might evoke, or the symbolism it suggests. I have created half of it, but it needs you, the viewer, to create the other half.
I see a woman who embarks on a journey...
ReplyDeleteCiao :)
Meine Geschichte zu dem Bild. Ich sehe eine Frau die etwas traurig zurückschaut aber dennoch ohne Wehmut wird sie etwas in Ihren Leben ändern und geht einen schweren und weiten Weg in die neue ungewisse Zukunft. Sie geht allein.
ReplyDeleteSehr schöne Zeichnung Katherine;-)
Janina's story translated:
ReplyDeleteMy story about the image. I see a woman who looks back a bit sad but without nostalgia they will change something in your life and is a serious and long journey to the new uncertain future. She walks alone.
Very nice drawing Katherine;-)
I see a lost woman. What a suspens!
ReplyDeleteIt's remember a history for children.
I see a woman who finds her way to this place in the woods every morning - to reflect and think and give thanks and at times to rage at all that has happened in her life. Mostly, she is one with nature, in her solitude, open to the message of the sounds and sights around her that will help her to make the best of this day. She is seasoned and wise and cares little for fashion and adornments, but rather ponders life's meaning and those in her life that are lost. SHe is grounded here and takes that feeling withher throughout her day. It is how she survives and finds the strength to meet all the challenges in her world.
ReplyDeleteI find myself feeling sorry for this woman..she looks very sad to me..she's lost in the woods taking her worries with her. I'm not good with telling the story ...However, I LOVE this piece!!!
ReplyDeleteIncredible work Katherine...this woman is sad. She has left some place...either of her own will or by force...she had already come a long way and has had to step aside to rest. She is still trying to decide what to do...not sure where she is going.
ReplyDeleteI see this woman as a ghost. She lost something in this forest and she wanders for all eternity looking for it. And yes, I too see her sadness. I love forests and find them magical and that magic comes through this piece for me beautifully. I cannot imagine anyone having a reaction of distaste for one of your pieces. I've never seen one that isn't gorgeous and makes me long to have an iota of your talent.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful. To me she is totally happy and has chosen to live a life close to mother earth. She is calm, serene and is getting the energy directly from our land. I see her like an healer someone who helps someone how understand life and is taking advantage of it by being close to the earth. (wish I spoke better english to express myself)
ReplyDeleteI see a woman who has worked very hard to survive. Struggle, sadness, loss....
ReplyDeleteAmazing detail.
Life journey paused...reflection...every thing and everyone becomes a product of every action or being. Could paralyze her without strength of acceptance.
ReplyDeleteThis is a woman who has a very hard life, but does not complain. She is enjoying some time in nature, soaking in the smells and sounds of the forest because she is blind and cannot see.
ReplyDelete-I love this drawing too!
I see her as looking for something or waiting for something or someone. She impresses me as a wise woman, much like Christiane described above. It's a beautiful, provocative drawing!
ReplyDeleteHarika bir çalışma, çok başarılı ve yaratıcısın Katherine.
ReplyDeleteMasal gibi bir resim yapmışsın.Ağaçların kökleri ve gövdeleri çok güzel.
Kursat's comment translated:
ReplyDeleteA great job, a very successful and creative Katherine. Yapmışsın.Ağaçların a picture of a fairy tale roots and trunks are very nice.
Dear Katherine - I have not read the other comments. I will when I finish mine. To me the woman is seeking. There is a path of light but she has not moved towards it. In fact I feel as if she is hiding...afraid perhaps to move towards it. That is my story but I am sure you have another. At any rate this is beautiful and your trees add a feeling of depth to this work as well.
ReplyDeleteFairy Grandmother of the woods, keeping the place all spick and span - as woods go. She's just pausing to survey her handiwork :)
ReplyDeleteJourney is the word that comes to mind for me as well. I'll be imagining her story all day, thanks.
ReplyDeleteKim
I see this woman as an alice in wonderland or snow white type fairy tale character grown old. someone who long ago decided there was no happy ever after in the human world and that she preferred the beautiful world of nature and animals to the harsh cruelty of the human towns and cities she left behind. she has spent most of life in the woods far from civilisation and the look on her face is one of quiet serenity and happiness with her life of solitude with all the creatures of the wood for company.
ReplyDeleteThe feeling I get from this is a lot of serenity. I sense that this place is where this woman often comes to reflect and get away, and that she's thinking back on all the times on her life that it has brought her peace. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Katherine, this sad woman and the context that surrounds her does not make me think of a happy situation. His gaze down makes me think of a kind of resignation, perhaps the acceptance of a life without a future. Aside from that, your work is great, as always! Ciao.
ReplyDeleteI can't say enough how much I love and appreciate my fellow bloggers! THANK YOU ALL! I really like what everybody said about the piece, and how each of you spoke from your own experiences in life... some of you saw sadness, some saw wisdom and acceptance, but you're all right, because her story is OUR stories...
ReplyDeleteI titled the piece "Chosen Paths".
Pretty and good works Katherine, original and successful concept of painting, part put the author (message) part we try to reach the viewer, between both sides is our personality with the brushes and the way we work.
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Beautiful and evocative work, of course it means something different to every one who views it. We bring our own stories to each painting and see what we want or need to see, don't we? Lovely work. I believe she is tired and resting before her walk home because she's been out gathering leaves, acorns, berries, small branches, etc. and has them in that wrapping around her shoulder. She's an artist and is taking them all home to draw and paint them :) Her path may not always be easy but it's the one she's chosen.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late feed back Katherine, love this work LOT! I see a mother for all those trees in her and she is worried for her children for some reason.. may be no rain?
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful Katherine.. :)
ReplyDeletePara mim esse desenho demonstra alguém em abandono e tristeza. Porém cada um tem a sua interpretação, como você disse. Para mim é isso que passou seu belo desenho. Adorei, lindos os troncos das árvores.
ReplyDeleteAbraços!
Tais Luso's comment translated:
ReplyDeleteFor me this drawing shows someone in grief and abandonment. But each has its interpretation, as you said. For me it is now your beautiful drawing. Loved, beautiful tree trunks.
Hugs!
What fun it is to read all of the stories! I feel the woman communing (to use an old hippie-dippie word) with the trees. I think she has been down this path many times and knows the trees have been a sort of guardian angel for her. A very thought-provoking piece!
ReplyDeleteI had to revisit and see what others said about this drawing. It has haunted me a bit.....
ReplyDelete"Provocative" is the best description, and even more so with your summarizing comment.
It definitely has that fairy tale appeal to it. When I saw it, I thought... You should write a book and illustrate it with pictures like this. Or create a story around these drawings and make it into a book.
ReplyDeleteI see a woman who stepped into a faerie ring as a young woman and was transported into the faerie realm where she supped on nectar and danced at their balls. Now the faeries have sent her back and she still stands within their ring, the hint of a smiled still upon her face. She no longer belongs to either world, but is grateful for the time the faeries gave her.
ReplyDelete